American Pie: Ultimate Edition – By Sean O’Connell

“”American Pie”” aspires to be the “”Porky’s”” for a new generation – albeit a slightlyenhanced, updated version of the legendary teen sex romp. Just check, you’ll see all theingredients are there. Okay, instead of peeping through a hole in the girls’ shower, theseguys use the Internet. Who’s going to argue over the minutia when nudity is involved,right? But contrary to popular belief, this oft-used summary of the breakout comedy isnot an insult. Far from it.

“”Pie”” ushered in the most recent wave of gratuitous teen sex comedies, a popular genrethat had long been retired. Films like “”Porky’s,”” “”Fast Times at Ridgemont High”” and””Risky Business”” represent but hardly define the genre. There are key factors, though, thatone can always count on in such films, and “”Pie”” serves them all up on a tasty platter.Virgins? Check. Nudity? Check, and check. A catchy pop soundtrack that accuratelyportrays the film’s time period but will sound dated in a decade? Most definitely. Set in a non-descript Michigan high school, “”Pie”” follows four friends in their senior yearwho bear the burden of virginity like Hester Pryne sporting her nifty red letter. Oz (Chris Klein) stands tall as the group’s token athlete, a buff lacrosse star with a steelygaze. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is the group’s eccentric, a latte-drinking chap whorefuses to use the school bathrooms. Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is the only one of thefour with a steady girlfriend, Vicky (Tara Reid), though she’s not putting out. And then there’s Jim (Jason Biggs), arguably the film’s star. Amiable and clumsy, as mostteenagers are, Jim is the one who possesses absolutely no luck with the ladies. Around hisfriends, Jim’s casual, loose … the man. But around the opposite sex, he’s a tongue-tiedlummox. Using the analogy of “”spotting”” a friend who’s weightlifting, the guys agree to help oneanother lose their virginities before prom. Each guy has his own plan of action. Oz joinsthe school’s chorus to woo a lovely singer (Mena Suvari). Kevin relentlessly pursues hisprudish girl. Finch enlists the aid of a friend to spread flattering rumors about himself. AndJim, well, there’s that Internet scene I mentioned. The cast, a who’s who of up-and-coming teen stars and the fabulous Eugene Levy as Jim’sdad, flitter about from school hallway to post-prom party, all battling with each other’svarious plotlines for precious screen time. As attractive and luminous as each of them are,there’s just far too many main characters for a simple 96 minute movie, so their namesallude us minutes after watching the film though we remember their distinguishingcharacteristics. For instance, there’s the “”band camp”” girl (Alyson Hannigan), the outcastwho’s wise beyond her years (Natasha Lyonne), the monkey. Wait, maybe he’s new. Butyou get the idea. It allows characters like Seann William Scott’s Steve Stifler, who deliversthe film’s sharpest barbs, to stand out – not to take anything away from Scott’s whip smartdelivery. In the battle of the sexes waged in “”American Pie,”” though, it’s the charming male leadswho ultimately win out. No surprise, considering the film was written by Adam Herz toreflect a boy’s point of view. Klein is a natural actor whose delivery is almost secondary,and Biggs crafts the “”loveable loser”” role that he desperately tries to rediscover in filmslike “”Loser”” and “”Saving Silverman,”” with little success. The film’s punchy script and crass sexual jokes are pretty accurate, as boys that age thinkof little else besides getting laid. “”Pie”” also scores points for, pardon the expression, goingall the way with its crude humor. It never pulls back, allowing its characters to screwpastry and drink semen. At the same time, the script also diminishes the female roles sothat each actress ends up playing different shades of the same generic mold. They’re theobject of these guys’ desire, but we’re never told why (except for the fact that they havegirl parts, and that’s supposed to be enough). The teen actresses try their best to carve outwhat little personality they can from their parts, but it’s an obvious challenge, and it showson screen. Just not nearly enough for “”Pie””‘s target audience to notice.Grade: BTHE EXTRASThe next installment in Universal “”Ultimate Edition”” line, “”American Pie”” comespackaged in the studio’s funky new clear DVD case and offers two discs of bonusmaterials. They give fans of the film more than enough chances to listen to the cast andcrew discuss their memories making the film, and even provide a sneak peek at the sequel,aptly titled “”American Pie 2.”” Clever.Other extras include “”American Pie”” outtakes, deleted scenes, a feature on possibleposters (back when the film was called “”Grand Falls””), a commentary with Weitz brothersPaul and Chris, writer Herz and the cast, trailers, music highlights, a “”Classic Quotes””section that lets you skip right to your favorite part in the film, a photo-montage of thefilm’s production and a “”Spotlight On Location”” feature for the first film.There are also DVD-ROM features for those with the capability, which include ascript-to-screen comparison, a game entitled “”Rock-The-Potty,”” and links to the official””American Pie”” website.Something happened to the film’s video transfer, though. For some reason, even in themost brightly lit scenes, the picture appears very dark and muddy. This problem is clearedup on the extras, when it doesn’t necessarily matter the most. Audio-wise, the film soundsclean, but the visuals need to be brushed up before they’re up to standards.Grade: B+OVERALL EXPERIENCE“”American Pie”” is one of those movies you feel strange recommending. While it has somevery funny sequences and choice performances from an unpolished Biggs and a cockyScott, it also has some disturbing teen sex scenes that are meant to be heartfelt, but onlymanage to make you feel uncomfortable. Isn’t this kiddie porn? How old is Tara Reid?And by writing this, I fully realize that I am officially out of the age bracket “”AmericanPie”” was made for. Thankfully, for all of us outcasts, there was plenty of Levy to goaround.The DVD, however, is worth owning just for the staggering amount of extras. While I’mnot completely sold on the new clear cases, Universal realizes how to package a discoverflowing with extras for film fans. And now that they’re focusing on better titles, afterlaunching the line with “”Patch Adams”” and “”Meet Joe Black,”” they just might attract alarger audience.FINAL GRADE: B+

Updated: January 1, 1970 — 12:33 am